Recap: Planning and Development Committee

Here’s a recap of our live coverage of this evening’s Evanston City Council Planning and Development Committee. The committee discussed amendments to the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance.

A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.

Meeting called to order at 6:59 p.m.

Minutes approved.

P1 – Amendments to Design and Project Review Ordinance. Approved.

P2 – Zoning ordinance text amendment for firearm ranges.

Deputy City Attorney Michele Masoncup says statutes and case law indicate that city has to adopt regulations that permit firearm ranges somewhere in the city. Proposed ordinance imposes a variety of restrictions.

Community Development Director Mark Muenzer says staff is seeking direction from aldermen tonight — not seeking to have the ordinance approved.

Says a lot of questions from the aldermen brought to light a variety of new information.

Alderman Jane Grover, 7th Ward, says item is marked on agenda for action tonight … but its actually up for continuing discussion

Citizen Comment

Jennifer O’Neill, League of Women Voters, says the league strongly supports inclusionary housing. Understands won’t solve the affordable housing crisis but says it’s a valuable tool. Favors the developer incentives. Wants audits of performance and review of results every five years.

Brendan Saunders, of Open Communities in Winnetka, seconds what O’Neill said.

Rob Anthony, executive director Community Partners for Affordable Housing in Evanston, says has administered inclusionary housing. Says important that as ordinance is implemented need to educate developers. Says real financial impact can be very minimal.

Steve Perkins, on board of Citizens Greener Evanston, says city is moving to be more walkable, compact city — says that makes it more affordable. Says affordable housing near transit here has gone down — amounts to another tax on people of limited means. Need to think together about housing and transit affordability and accessibility.

Howard Handler, North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors, says need more time to assess the impact of the proposed ordinance on stakeholders. Suggests more organic approaches to affordable housing — like micro housing units, coach houses — accessory units or granny flats. Also look at other factors that increase the cost of housing in Evanston.

Elizabeth Meadows, member of Interfaith Action of Evanston, favors the amendments to the ordinance. Says not the solution, but a big step in the right direction. Says should have meetings with stakeholders and draft an Evanston-specific ordinance.

Sue Carlson says developers would get additional return under the proposed ordinance and wouldn’t have to reduce profit by a substantial amount.

Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, says there is money in the affordable housing fund. E2 developer made $200K voluntary contribution to the affordable housing fund. So did the Mather.

Muenzer says a lot of money has been raised from demolition fees and other contributions from developers.

(No units were produced as a result of mandatory fees under the existing ordinance — because it was adopted just as the condo market crashed and no new condo developments that would be covered have been proposed since then.)